Envelope machine



Jan. 13, 1942. A. NOVICK ENVELOPE MACHINE Filed March 23, 1939 10 Sheets-Sheet l 'INVENTOR Abraham Nov/ck BY w w ATTORN EYS I Jan. 13, 1942. A. NOVICK ENVELOPE MACHINE Filed March 23, 1939 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Abraham lVOV/C/f @M-am/ M ATTORNEYS 1942- A. NOVICK 2,269,954

ENVELOPE MACHINE Filed March 23, 1939 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Abraham /V0 v/c/r BY MfM ATTORNEYS Jan. 13, 1942. A. NOVICK ENVELOPE MACHINE Filed March 23, 1939 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR I Abra/mm Nor/Ck BY ATTORN EYS Jan. 13, 1942. A. NOVICK ENVELOPE MACHINE Filed March 25, 1939 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 .INVENTOR Abra/mm Nov/ck BY ATTORNEYS Jan. 13, 1942. A. NOVICK EKWELOPE MACHINE Filed March 23, 1939 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 mmm INVENTOR Abraham /V0 wck BY ATTORNEYS 10 Sheets-Sheet '7 Jan. 13, 1942. A. NQVICK ENVELOPE MACHINE Filed March 23, 1939 INVENTOR Abra/7am lvowck ATTORNEYS Jan. 13, 1942. A. NOVICK ENVELOPE MACHINE Filed March 23, 1939 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 Abraham Now'c/r BY INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Jan. 13, 1942. A. NOVICK ENVELOPE MACHINE Filed March 23, 1939 10 Sheets-Sheep 9 mm m V A m 1D A m Jan. 13, 1942. A. NOVICK 9,95

ENVELOPE MACHINE Filed March 23, 1959 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 r r FI Q f/ a. x E

\ N g m. 5

w k w INVENTOR Abraham Nov/ck ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 13, 1942 UNITED STATES- ENVELOPE MACHINE Abraham Novick, Flushing, N. Y., assignor -to F. L. Smithe Machine 00., Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application March 23, 1939, Serial No. 263,626

23 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for making envelopes of the clasp fastener type, and more particularly to a machine which may be used to provide a reinforced attachment of the clasp fastener to the envelope body.

Broadly, clasp fastener envelopes are well known and widely used. As generally made, the envelope comprises a clasp fastener clinched to the outer face of the back of the envelope. A popular form of fastener comprises a central body portion having bendable arms extending in opposite directions from it and anchoring legs extending in opposite directions from the central body portion and at right-angles to the arms. The legs are provided with clinching prongs for attachment to the-back of the envelope body. The arms lie fiat against the back of the envelope as delivered to the user, and the user bends the arms into parallelism, passes them through an opening formed in the closure flap of the envelope, and then bends them down substantially to their original positions, thereby locking the envelope flap in envelope closing position.

It is sometimes desirable to apply this type of closure means to an envelope made of light paper stock. When this is done in the usual way, the clasp fastener is apt to tear loose from the back of the envelope body so that the construction is apt to be unsatisfactory and undependable.

In my pending application Ser. No. 207,436, filed May .12, 1938, for Envelope construction, now Patent No. 2,206,044, disclosure is made of an envelope of the clasp fastener type in which a patch of strong flexible paper is adhesively united to the inner face of the back of the envelope'body in position to receive the fastener prongs, and the fastener is clinched to the reinforced area by passing the prongs through and of thereafter attaching a fastener by driving the fastener prongs through the envelope body and the reinforcing patch and upsetting the prongs.

It is a further object of the invention to pro- -vide a machine capable of making reinforced clasp envelopes as referred to in the preceding paragraph, but also capable of readjustment in a simple and expeditious manner to make unreinforced clasp envelopes. All of the features of the invention disclosed herein are useful in connection with the making of reinforced clasp envelopes as described, but a number of-these features are also useful in other connections.

One type of clasp fastener envelope, for example, comprises a clasp fastener clinched to the back of the envelope and a. protective patch adhesively united to the inner face of the back of the envelope for covering the prongs of the to the inner side of the back of an envelope body have utility in connection with the manufacture of envelopes of the class just referred to. From that point of view, such features may be regarded as improvements upon the machines disclosed and claimed in my pending application Ser. No, 142,393,- filed May 13, 1937, for Envelope fastener machines, now Patent No. 2,197,827, and Ser. No. 151,463, filed July 1, 1937, for Patch applying machines and envelopes made -3 thereby, now Patent No. 2,197,826.

In accordance with one such feature of the invention, the patch tape is advanced step by step to a cutting position for the cutting off of a patch from the leading end of the tape in position to be deposited upon a movable anvil which is insertable into the envelope. A holddown device or needle is mounted coaxially with the movable knife member to engage the leading end of the web before the patch is cut off.

The needle is controlled in its movements by the movable knife carrier and the anvil, and constitutes a very simple and effective means for causing the patch to be definitely and accurately deposited upon the anvil. Besides being of simple and inexpensive construction, the

needle constitutes an ideal presser member because it engages such a small area of the tacky adhesive on the face of the patch, and hence has little or no tendency to displace the patch from the anvil when it is withdrawn,

A further feature has to do with the provision of a traveling anvil adapted tohold the patch to itself by suction while it is carrying the patch into position to be applied to the envelope. To

this end the anvil is provided with a suction passage which terminates in an open port located in the patch seat of the anvil. A suitable source of suction is provided, and a timed valve mechanism controls the communication of the anvil passage with the source of suction and with the atmosphere in properly timed relation with the operation of the other parts of the 1 machine to cause the suction in the anvil to be broken when the envelope material has been pressed against the tacky face of the patch.

A further feature of the invention has to do with the provision of a traveling anvil which is yieldingly and tiltably mounted to adapt it to travel in a straight path when carrying the patch into the envelope body and then to yield downward for a limited distance when pressure is applied to the exterior of the envelope body for pressing the back of the envelope body against the tacky face of the patch.

Other objects, features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings forming part of this specification and illustrating a practical and advantageous embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a portion of the machine, partly in section;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary detail view illustrating particularly the mechanism for controlling the communication of the anvil passage with the source of suction and with the atmosphere;

Figure 3 is a view in side'elevation, partly in section, of another portion of the machine which is complementary to Figure 1 and which, when placed end to end with Figure 1. constitutes a showing of the machine substantially in its entirety;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional plan view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in sectional side elevation, showing particularly a portion of the operating mechanism at the fastener applying station;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary, detail, sectional view taken on the line 6-8 of Fig. 5 and showing particularly a portion of the operating means for the fastener driver;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary, transverse, vertical, sectional view taken on the line of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 8 is a sectional detail view, taken on the line 8--8 of Figure '7, partly broken away, and illustrating particularly the means whereby the patch applying section of the machine may be rendered operative or inoperative at will;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 99 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 10 is a plan view of the back of a clasp fastener envelope having a clasp fastener and a reinforcement applied as the machine is adapted to apply them;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line lI--I| of Figure 10 looking in Figure 17 is a fragmentary detail view illustrating particularly features connected with the opening of the envelope mouth for reception of the' anvil in patch applying position;

Figure 18 is a detail plan view of the travelin anvil, the anvil being broken away intermediate its ends for compactness of illustration;

Figure 19 is a detail sectional view taken on the line l9|9 of Figure 18 looking in the direction of the arrows, Figure 19 being on a larger scale than Figure 18;

Figure 20 is a fragmentary view in side elevation, and partly broken away, illustrating the pressing of a patch against the inner face of the envelope body; and

Figure 21 is a view generally similar to Figure 18 showing the parts immediately after the patch has been pressed against the envelope body.

Before describing the parts of the machine in a patch applying operation by means of a retractible stop 4. A feed roller 5 cooperative with the belt conveyor is controlled from a cam shaft 6, being held away from the belt conveyor 3, while the blank is arrested by the stop 4, but becomes instantaneously effective upon the retraction of the stop 4 at the completion of the patch applying operation.

The patch material is supplied from a reel 1 of adhesive tape T, the tape being fed with its gummed side in engagement with a moistening roller 8. The gummed tape is advanced step by step by means of pawl and ratchet mechanism 9, shown in Figures 1, 4 and 7, which is operated from the cam shaft 6. A feeler mechanism 10 is provided for rendering the mechanism 9 ineffective to feed a patch length when an envelope fails to come through on schedule. The patch web material is fed out over a traveling anvil H as in Figure 14, being cut oil to form a patch I 5 which is deposited on the anvil and held to the anvil by suction, as in Figure 16. The anvil is adapted to be retracted to the Figure 1 position for receiving the patch l5, and then to be advanced into the envelope, as illustrated in Figure 18, for delivering the patch I! into position to be applied to the inner face of the back of the envelope body. The reciprocation of the ,anvil l l is controlled from the cam shaft 6 by means of mechanism indicated generally at l2.

As the anvil advances, a lifter mechanism l3, Figure 1, which is operated from the cam shaft 6, is thrust upward to assure entry of the anvil within the envelope. When the patch l5 has been carried into the envelope to the position indicated in Figure 20 by the anvil, a presser I4 descends, as indicated in the same figure, to press the back of the envelope body down against the patch IS. The anvil II is yieldingly held up and is rockingly mounted so that it may retreat a short distance in response to the force exerted by the presser l4 until positively arrested by a stationary supporting anvil l 6.

As soon as the patch pressing operation illustrated in Figure 20 has been performed, the anvil M and the presser l4 retreat. The stop 4 withdraws from the path of the envelope, and the feed roller 5 snaps down against the envelope, as in Figure 21, to cause the envelope E to be quickly and positively fed away from the patch applying station, so that it cannot interfere with the next following envelope, and is, itself, ad-

vanced in proper time to a patch supplying station.

The belt conveyor 3 carries the envelope E forward'until it is arrested at the fastener applying station (see Figure 3) by means of a retractible stop II which is similar to the retractible stop 4, and which is operated from a' cam shaft l8. Clasp fasteners IQ of the type illustrated in Figure are fed downward, for application to the back of the envelope body and to the adhered patch l5, through a magazine or chute 28 which comprises an upper stationary section 2| and a lower oscillating section 22. The lower section 22 is oscillated into and outofregister with a fastener driver 23 by means of mecha- 18 by means of mechanism indicated generally at 25, Figures 3, 5 and 6.

A reciprocable anvil 26, Figures 3 and 5, is provided to enter the envelope and turn the prongs P, Figure 11, of the clasp fastener l9 at the clinching operation. This anvil 26 is operated from the cam shaft I8 by mechanism which is desirably a substantial duplicate'of the mechanism I2 for operating the anvil The anvil 26 itself, which does not carry a patch, is not provided with suction means and has the end of its upper face appropriately formed to receive and turn the fastener prongs. Lifting mechanism 21, Figure 5, is provided for assuring entry of the anvil 26 into the envelope, this mechanism being a substantial duplicate of the lifting mechanism I3 and being operated from the cam shaft I8. A stationary anvil 28 is provided for limiting the retreat in a downward direction of the anvil 26 as the driver 23 descends.

Provision is desirably made of feeler mechanism (not shown) for preventing movement of the movable magazine section 22 into position to deliver a fastener to the driver when an envelope fails to come through on schedule. This feeler mechanism is desirably the same as that shown and described in. my above-mentioned pending application Serial No. 142,393.

Mechanism 29 is provided for operating the stop I! from the cam shaft l8 in proper timed relation with the other operating parts located r.

All of the illustrated mechanism is operated from a common drive shaft 32, Figure 1. The shaft 32 is connected through a chain 33 and a sprocket 34, Figure 3, fast upon the shaft l8 to drive the latter shaft. The shaft l8 has fast upon it a sprocket 35 which, through a chain 36, drives a sprocket 31 fast upon a shaft 38. The shaft 38 drives a shaft 39 through gears 48 and 4| which are fast upon the respective shafts. The shaft 39 has fast upon it a pulley 42 for driving two spaced belts 43 and 44 which make up the belt conveyor 3, see Figure 9 also.

The shaft 32 also acts through a chain 45, Figure 1, to drive a sprocket unit 46, Figures 7 and 8, which is revolubly mounted upon the shaft 6. The sprocket unit 46 comprises two sprockets 41 and 48 which are fast with one another. The

chain runs upon the sprocket 41 to drive the unit, while a further chain 49 is driven by the sprocket 48 for a purpose presently to be pointed out.

A collar 58 is made fast on the shaft 6 alongside the sprocket 48 by means of a set screw 5|, the collar being angularly adjustable about the axis of the shaft 6. The collar is formed with an extension portion in which a bore 52 is provided. A plunger 53 is mounted in the bore 52 and is urged toward the sprocket 48 by means of a compression coil spring 54 which is interposed between a collar 55 on the plunger 53 and the base of the bore 52. The plunger tip 56 is adapted to enter and fit substantially an aperture 51 formed in the sprocket 48 for establishing a driving connection between the sprocket 48 and the shaft 6.

The end of the plunger opposite the tip extends through the base of the bore 52 and has a head or operating knob 58 aiiixed to it. The under face of the head 58 bears against the collar 58 in the position of the parts illustrated in Figure 7. The head 58 carries a pin 59 which is adapted to fit into a recess 68 formed inthe collar 58. When it is desired to disable the shaft 6, the head 58 is simply pulled toward the right, as viewed in Figure 7, for a sufficient distance to withdraw the pin 58 from the recess 68, and is then turned to move the pin 59 out of alignment with the recess 68 so that the end of the pin bears at the fastener applying station. A feed roller 38 is operated by mechanism 3| from the cam shaft l8 in a similar manner that the feed roller 5 is operated from the cam shaft 6.

It will be observed that all of the timed mechanism' which operates at the patch applying station is driven and controlled from the ,cam shaft 6, and that all of the timed mechanism operating at the fastener applying station is driven and controlled from the cam shaft l8.

While the illustrative machine is especially adapted to perform the patch applying and fastener applying operations in succession, it is a very important point that the machine is also adapted to apply fasteners to envelopes which do not'require a reinforcing patch, or, in other words, that the machine can be used to apply the plunger 53 is thus retracted from engagement with the sprocket 48, and is maintained in its retracted position, so that the shaft 6 and the parts normally operated and controlled by that shaft may remain idle while the operation of the sprocket unit 46 is continued.

The drive of the chain 49 by the sprocket 48 for operating and controlling the other separator I, mechanism in proper timed relation to the other fasteners with or without patches. The arrangement whereby this flexibility of operation is secured willnow be briefly described.

parts of the machine.

The correct timing of the separator mechanism with respect to the fastener applying mechanism is not the same, however, when the patch applying mechanism is in operation as it is when the patch applying mechanism is cut out of oper-' ation. straight through from the separator mechanism In the one instance the envelopes go 7 2 until arrested by the stop I'I, while in the other instance the travel of the envelopes is interrupted by the stop 4 forthe application of a reinforcing patch.

Provision is accordingly made of suitable means for adjusting the sprocket 8|, Figures 1 and 4, which drives the separator mechanism 2 relatively to its driving shaft 82. For this purpose the sprocket 8I is revolubly mounted upon the shaft 82, but is adapted to be made fast to the shaft in any adjusted position desired by means of a set screw 88 which is adapted to be threaded through a hub portion of the sprocket 8i into' binding relation with the shaft 82. Since this adjustment does not disturb the timing of the separator parts with relation to one another, but

only the timing of the separator as a whole with reference to the fastener applying unit as a whole, it will be evident that the required readjustment of timing can be very readily effected by means of a single and very simple operation.

While the foregoing description is designed to indicate, in a general and comprehensive way,

the organization of the illustrative machine, the nature and function of the principal operating units, and the relation of those units to one another, it does not purport even to make general reference to all of the operating instrumentalities, nor to refer to all of the novel features embodied in the machine.

The envelope stack I is supported in an in-,

clined attitude in a magazine 81 which is carried by frame standards 68, the standards in turn being supported upon one of the main frame units 89 of the machine. The magazine comprises floor bars 10 upon which the lowermost envelope of the stack rests, bottom plates 1i against which the bottom edges of the envelopes rest, and side rails or guides 12 for engaging the opposite side edges of the stack. A stripper finger I3 extends under the lower edge of the stack and normally engages the extreme lower edge portion of the lowermost envelope.

A sucker tube I4 is secured by a clamp 15 to a rocking bail 18, the bail being pivoted upon the standards 88 at 11. The sucker tube 14 is maintained in communication with a suitable source of suction through a flexible hose I8. The bail is rocked or oscillated to carry the mouth of the sucker tube toward and away from the lower marginal portion of the lowermost blank of the stack I. In the position illustrated in Figure 1 the mouth of the suction tube is pressed against the margin of the lowermost blank. As the bail is rocked in a counter-clockwise direction, as

viewed in Figure 1, the sucker tube is carried downward to pull the bottom edge of the lowermost blank past the stripper finger I3 and clear of the edges of the plates II into position to be seized and drawn away from the stack.

The bail 18 is oscillated by a link I8, Figures 1 and 4, which is pivotally connected at one end to the bail I8 and at its opposite end to a rocking lever 80. The lever 80, is rockably mounted upon a fulcrum stud 8 I fast on one of the standards 88, and carries a cam follower roller 82 at its end remote from the link 19. The follower 82 runs upon a cam 83 which is fast upon the shaft 82. A tension spring 84, shown only in Figl 4, is connected to the lever 80 to maintain the follower 82 in engagement with the cam 83.

The suction tube I4 operates between the feeding discs 85 and acts to carry the suction-held lower margin of the lowermost blank down against the peripheries of the feeding discs 85.

til)

,- ing the envelope during this movement.

Each of the discs 88 is formed with a notch a.

Fig. 4, in its periphery through which a gripper 85, see Figure 1 also, is adapted to be projected. The grippers 88 are carried by their respective discs 88 and are caused to arrive in envelopereceiving positions and to be operated in proper timed relation with the operation of the suction tube 14 to grip the bottom end of the envelope against the discs 88.

The shaft 82 has fast with it an arm 88 which carries one end of a rock shaft 81. The rock shaft 81 has fast upon it a crank arm 88 which carries a cam follower 88. The cam follower coacts with a stationary cam which is mounted upon theshaft 82 but which is held against rotation by means ofpins or bolts 8| that connect it with the frame standards 88. The rock shaft 81 also has fast upon it a second crank arm 82 which is connected through a tensioned coil spring 83 with a fixed pin 84 on one of the discs 85, the spring serving to draw the follower 88 against the cam 90. The rock shaft 81 passes through the two discs 88 and carries in association with each of the discs a gear segment 85 for operating one of the grippers 88. Each gripper 88 is pivotally mounted upon a stub shaft 88 which is carried by its feed disc 85 near the periphery of the disc. and each gripper has a toothed portion 81 which forms a gear segment for cooperation with the teeth of the associated segment 85. The follower 88 is shown in Figure l as about to pass from the low to the high part of the cam 80. As it does so, the gear segment 95 is turned counter-clockwise about the axis of the rock shaft 81 and causes the grippers 88 to swing quickly in a clockwise direction so that they are projected through the notches 84 and intothe position to grip the envelope margin firmly against the peripheries of the feed discs 85. Since the feed discs 88 are constantly driven at the uniform speed of the shaft 82, they draw the envelope downward away from the stack I and toward the belt conveyor 8.

Stationary curved guide bars 88 assist in guid- The leading or-lower margin of the envelope. however, is carried beneath pressing rollers 88 and I00, which are carried, respectively, upon arms IM and I02. Both of the arms IOI and I02 are loosely mounted upon a shaft I08, and the arms are connected to one another by a tension spring I04 which tends to draw the arms toward one another, and hence to press both rollers against the periphery of the associated feed disc 85. When the envelope has become gripped to the feed discs 85 by the rollers 98 and I00, the grippers 88 are permitted by the cam to be retracted within the peripheries of the feed discs by the spring 83, as will be evident from an examination of Figure 1.

The feed discs 85 bear against the belts 43 and 44 of the conveyor 3, and travel at a peripheral speed equal to the linear speed of the belts.

Feed rollers I08 are disposed at intervals for cooperation with the belts so that the envelopes are positively advanced away from the feed discs 85.

Guide bars I08 and I01, Figure 4, are provided at opposite sides of the belts to serve as side guides for the envelopes. The bars at the receiving end adjacent the discs 85 are bent outward, Figures 1 and 4, so that the bars jointly provide a flaring mouth for facilitating the accurate introduction of the envelopes between the parallel portions of the bars. The bars I08 and I01 are provided, respectively, with brackets I08 and I09, Figures 1, 4 and 7, which are secured by set screw III! and III to supporting rods II2 which are mounted upon a, stationary post I I3.

The envelope delivered to the belt is transmitted at the uniform speed of the belt to a position in which it is arrested by engagement with the stop 4. The stop 4 holds the envelope stationary in patch applying position. The stop 4 is fixed upon one end of a supporting rod H4. The rod II4 passes through an end portion of a transverse rod II5, Figures 1, 4, 9 and 17, and may be clamped in various positions of lengthwise adjustment by means of a set screw II6 which is threaded into the end of the rod H5. The rod I I5, in turn, is formed with an enlarged portion 1 at its opposite end to embrace a supporting link H8. The. rod II may be clamped in various adjusted positions along the link H8 by means of a set screw I I9 which is threaded into an -end of the rod. 'The link I I8 is pivotally connected at its opposite ends to parallel rocker arms I and I2I. The rocker arm I20 is mounted upon a headed stud I22 fast on a bracket I23 carried by a main frame member I24. The arm I2I is fast upon a headed stud I25 fast on a bracket I26 carried by the frame member I24. An arm I21 rigid with the arm I2I is pivotally connected to a yoke I28 which embraces the cam shaft 6. The yoke I28 carries a cam follower I29 which coacts with a cam I30, fast on the cam shaft 6. A spring I3I, Fignures '1 and 17, connected to the yoke I28 urges the follower I29 toward the cam I30. The ca-m I30 is so constructed and designed that the stop 4 is caused to be projected up across the path of the envelope and held stationary there for a sufiiicent time to intercept the envelope and hold the envelope stationary for the patch applying operation. 0

There is no roller I05 opposed to the belts 43 and 44 in the area which the longest envelope would occupy when arrested by the stop 4, as in Figures 1'7 and 20. In this space, however, the feed roller 5 is provided. The feed roller 5 is operated in timed relation to the operation of the stop 4, being rendered inactive before the envelope is arretsed by the stop 4, and caused to resume engagement with the envelope as the stop 4 retreats.

The roller 5 is carried by an arm I32, Figures 1, 4, '1 and 21, fast on a rock shaft I33. The rock shaft I33 is journaled in a stationary post I34. The shaft I33 has also fast upon it an arm I35 which is connected through a link I36 to a rocking lever I31. The lever I31 is mounted upon a headed stud I38, on the machine frame 69, and carries a cam follower I39, which runs in engagement with a cam-I40 fast on the cam shaft 6. The cam I40 is so constructed and designed that it will cause the roller 5 to operate in a manner and at the times previously stated. A tension spring MI is connected to the arm I35 and acts to maintain the follower I39 in engagement with the cam I40.

Patch web material is advanced step by step from the reel 1, Figure l, of gummed tape which is supported upon a standard I42. The web is guided by means of a guide chute I43 between feed rollers 8 and I44. The feed roller 8 is a moistening roller for engaging the gummed side of the tape. This roller is mounted to revolve in a tank I46, see Figure 4 also. The moisture spreading roller I41 is carried by an arm I48 pivsubstantially with one tooth space of the wheel I50 by means of a connecting link I53. A pawl I54, pivotally carried by the lever I52, cooperates with the wheel I50. The link I53 is connected to a rocking arm I55. The arm I55 is mounted at one end upon a headed stud I56 and at its opposite end carries a cam follower I51.

The cam follower I51 cooperates with a cam I58 fast upon the shaft 6 to rock the lever I52 to and fro through the range described and in properly timed relation with the other operating parts of the machine. A'spring I59, connected to a collar I60 fast on the link I53 and to a fixed part of the machine frame 69, urges the fglgower I51 toward the periphery of the cam Normally, the wheel I44 is advanced one tooth space of the ratchet wheel I50 at each revolution of the cam shaft 6, and this serves to feed out a sufiicient length of the patch tape to constitute a single patch.

It sometimes happens, however, that through exhaustion of the envelopes in the magazine I, or through some other cause, an envelope fails to arrive on schedule. It would be objectionable to deliver a tacky patch under such circumstances, and hence feeler mechanism is provided for suppressing the feed of the patch web in any cycle in which no envelope is delivered.

To this end, a feeler finger I6I, Figures 1, 4, 7 and 12, is provided, the finger being fast upon a shaft I62 and disposed to extend down between the belts 43 and 44 and across the plane of blank feeding when no envelope is present. The shaft I62 also has fast upon it an arm I63 which is connected through a link I64 to one arm I65 of a bell crank I66 which is mounted upon a shaft I61. The other arm I68 of the bell crank I66 is adapted to act as an obstructing abutment or'stop to arrest the retractive movement of the lever I52 under certain circumstances. When no envelope is present beneath the feeler I6I, the feeler and the arm I63 are urged in a clockwise direction by a spring I69, Figure 12, which is connected to the arm I63 and to an ear I10 0f the leverI52. Clockwise rotation of the feeler is limited, however, by engagement of the arm I68 with a fixed stop When there is a blank present beneath the feeler finger I6I, as illustrated in Figure 12, the arm I68 is held up away from the stop I1I in a position like that illustrated in Figure 12. In this position the arm I68 stands clear of an abut- I ment pin I12 which is fixed upon the lever I52,

so that the lever I52 is free to execute its full retractive movement under the influence of the cam I58. A previously indicated, such full retractive movement is equal substantially to one tooth space of the ratchet wheel I50.

So long as the envelopes come through regularly, the pawl I54 is caused to advance the wheel I50 a single tooth space at each forward stroke of the lever I52. When an envelope fails to come through on schedule, however, the arm I68 is pressed down against the abutment or stop I and stands in position to obstruct retractive movement of the abutment pin I12, When this occurs. the lever I52 is prevented from making its full retractive movement, being arrested on its retractive stroke before the pawl I54 has been drawn back far enough to engage a fresh tooth of the wheel I58. The following stroke of the lever I52 is, therefore, an idle stroke.

The patch web, when fed in the normal manner, is advanced a patch length at each feeding step, a portion of the patch material being fed out at the delivery end of the chute I43, see Figure 14, for a distance corresponding to one patch length beyond a cutting bar I13 and over the anvil II. Mechanism is provided for pressing the leading end of the web firmly against the upper surface of the anvil II and for then cutting off the patch I from the web of material (see particularly Figs. 1, 4 and 14 to 16). A cam I14, fast on the cam shaft 8, engages a cam follower I which is carried by a bell crank lever I18, the lever being pivotally mounted at its elbow upon a headed stud I11. A spring I19 connected to the bell crank lever maintains the follower I15 in engagement with the cam I14. A link I88 i connected at its lower end to the bell crank lever I16, and at its upper end to a crank arm I8I fast on a rock shaft I82. The rock shaft also has fast upon it a crank arm I83 which carries at its outer end a cutting blade I 84 for cooperating with the cutting bar I13 to sever a patch. The cam I14 is constructed and arranged to oscillate the arm I83 in proper, timed relation with the other operating parts of the machine.

A collar I85 is revolubly mounted upon the shaft I82 and carries a curved needle I86 for engaging the leading end of the web and holding it pressed against the anvil II, as in Figure 15, before and during the cutting operation. The needle extends beneath a leaf spring I81, which is fast to the arm I83 and normally rests upon a supporting block I88 which is carried by the outer end of the arm I83. In the normal relation of the parts, which is that of Figure 14, the leaf spring I81 holds the needle down against the block I88, and'the point of the needle projects below the lower edge of the cutting blade I84, as in Figure 14, so that the needle point can engage the web and press it firmly against the anvil before the cutting blade I84 has engaged the web. This action is illustrated in Figure ,15. When the needle has reached the position of Figure 15, further descent of the needle is prevented, although the arm I83 continues its downward movement. During this movement the block I88 leaves engagement with the needle I86, the leaf spring I81 yielding to permit relative movement of the arm I83 and the needle. The final position of the arm I83 and the needle is that illustrated in Figure 16, in which the blade I84 has. advanced far enough to sever a patch I5 and the needle I86 is pressing the patch against the upper surface of 'the anvil II. The anvil is equipped with suction means, presently to be described, for preventing dislodgment of the patch, which has thus been severed and deposited upon the anvil I I. After the suction has taken control of the patch, the arm I83 is retracted and carries the needle with it.

It is the function of the anvil II to carry the patch forward into the envelope and to hold it in place for application to the inner face of the back of the envelope. The anvil is formed with side flanges or rib I89, see Figures 18 and 19, to assist in maintaining the patch accurately in place upon the anvil, and particularly to guard the patch against being displaced by engagement with the envelope back as the anvil travels forward. I a

The anvil II comprises an arm I98 which extends in an oblique direction and thence laterally of the machine, Figures 1, 4, '7 and 18. The arm I98 is clamped to a shaft I9I which is supported in arms I82of a frame I93. The frame I93 is in the form of the letter H, see particularly Figure 1, comprising upright posts I94 and I95 and a transverse web I98. Th shaft I9I also has secured to it a clamp I91 which is in the form of a split block whose arms I98 and I99 are drawn toward one another to clamp the shaft by a headed screw 288 which is passed through one of the arms and threaded into the other.

A link 28I is pivotally connected to the clamp I91 and to one arm 282 of a lever 283. The lever 283 is fulcrumed at 284. The other arm 285 of the lever 283 carries follower 288, which engages a cam 288 fixed on the cam shaft 6. A spring 289, connected to the arm 282 and to a stationary pin 2891:, Figure 1, maintains the follower 286 in engagement with the cam 288. The cam 288 is constructed and arranged to cause the anvil II to be retracted to the position of Figure 1 for the reception of a patch I5 and to be advanced to the position of Figure 20 for carrying the patch into position to be applied to the inner face of the back of the envelope.

When the anvil has reached the position of Figure 20, the presser I4 descends to press the back of the envelope down firmly against the patch. The anvil is mounted to retreat in a downward direction in response to the force of the presser until the anvil is positively arrested by a stationary anvil member or post I8. For this purpose a tail portion 2I8 of the arm I98 is extended outward beyond the shaft I9I to lie between plates 2 and 2I2, see especially Figure '7. The plates 2H and 2I2 and spacing blocks 2I3 interposed between the plates are impaled upon the threaded stems 2 which extend upward from the posts I94 and I95. A coil spring 2I5 surrounds each of the stems 2I4 and rests upon the upper face of the plate 2I2 to urge it downward. The stress of each spring 2I5 is adjusted and fixed by means of an adjusting nut 2I6 and a lock nut 2I1, both threaded on the associated stem 2I4. The plate 2I2 normally prevents depression of the anvil II by engagement with the tall 218 of the arm I98. When the presser I4 descends, however, the resistance of the springs 2l5 is overcome so that the tail 2I8 is permitted to rise and the anvil II is permitted to descend. As the presser I4 is withdrawn above the normal level of the anvil, the anvil is restored to its normal level for retraction into position to receive another patch.

As the anvil is advanced to carry a patch inside the envelope bodv, it is important that the mouth of the envelope be open to receive the anvil. For this purpose the lifter mechanism I3 is provided, Figures 1, 4, 7 and 17. A cam follower 2I8 is carried by an arm 2I9 aflixed to a shaft 228. A tension spring 22I maintains the follower 2I8 in engagement with a cam 222 fast on the cam shaft 8. A second arm 223 fast on the shaft 228 has pin and slot connection with a vertical slide or plunger 224. The slide or plunger 224 includes a horizontal shelf portion 225 having a marginal slot 226 formed in it, see Figure 17. A lifter member 221 includes a threaded stem 228 which extends downward through the slot 226 and upon which a wing nut 229 is threaded. The nut may be operated in an obvious manner for enabling the lifter member 221 to be adjusted longitudinally of the shelf 225 and to be locked in various adjusted positions.

The lifter member 221 is in the form of a fiat plate which is recessed at its forward end, as shown at 230, Figure 4, to provide clearances for the stationary anvil or post I6. The lifter member 221 also includes upstanding flanges 232 at opposite sides of the stationary'anvil or post I6. The cam 222 is constructed and arranged to cause the lifter to be moved upward to a position like that illustrated in Figure 17 as the anvil II approaches the mouth of the envelope, as seen in Figure 17, so as to assure that the mouth of the envelope will be open to receive the anvil II..

The lifter member 221 is only held up briefly and patch I5, as illustrated in Figure 20, comprises a presser head 233 carried by a threaded stem 234,

see also Figures 1, 9 and 17. The stem 234 is passed through one end of a lever'235, which lever is fulcrumed at 236 on a stationary post 231. Nuts 238 and 239 threaded onto the stem 234 below and above the lever 235 adjustably fix the stem 234' and the presser head 233 upon the lever 235. A link 240 is connected to the tail of the lever 235 for actuating the lever and the presser head. The link 240 is threaded at its lower end and is adjustably connected to a link section 24I, see Figure 7 also, so that the link 240 and the link section 24I form in effect a single link which is adjustable as to length. The link section 24I is in the form of an eye member having an enlarged portion 242 at its upper side through which the threaded portion of the link 246 extends. Nuts 243 and 244 are threaded onto the link 240 at the upper and lower sides of the enlarged portion 242 for adjustably connecting the link 24!] to the link section MI. The link section 24I is pivotally connected at its lower end to one arm of a bell crank lever 245 which is fulcrumed at 246 and whose other arm carries a cam follower 241 for cooperating with a cam 248 fast on the cam shaft 6. A spring 249 is connected to the lever 245 for maintaining the follower 241 in engagement with the cam 248. The cam 248 is so constructed and arranged that the presser head 233 is caused to descend to the position illustrated in Figure 20 in properly timed relation to the other operating parts, and to be thereafter retracted in time with the operation of the other parts. The stationary anvil or post I6 sustains the anvil II against the pressure applied by the presser I4, limiting the descent of the anvil II.

It has been mentioned that the anvil I I is provided with suction means for holding the patch in place as the patch is carried-by the anvil from the patch severing position to the patch applying position. For this purpose the arm I 96 is formed with a shouldered channel 250, Figures 18 and 19, in its lower face, the channel being closed by a sealing plate 25I as illustrated in Figure 19. This defines the suction passage or channel 250 as illustrated in dash lines in Figure 18. At one end the channel 256 communicates with an open port 252 formed in the upper face of the anvil in the patch seat area. At the opposite end the channel 250 communicates through a nipple 253 with a flexible rubber hose 254, Figures 1, 4 and 7.

'The hose 254, in turn communicates with a tube or conduit section 255 which is supported at its upper end in a bracket 255 affixed to the cross bar or cross web I96 of the frame member I94. The lower end of the tube 255 is connected through an elbow 251, Figures 1 and 2, and a nipple 258 with a valve body 259. The valve body 259 is connected through a nipple 260 and a flexible tube 26I with a suitable source of suction.

The valve body 259 is formed with a bore 262 which communicates with the nipples 258 and 260 and which is open at its -upper end. The valve body 259 is formed with a valve seat around the upper, open end portion of the bore 262. .A rocking lever 263 fulcrumed at 264 is formed at one end with a head portion 265 which is appropriately formed to constitute a valve for closing the upper end of the bore 262 to shut off communication of the bore with the atmosphere. The opposite end of the lever 263 carries a'cam follower 266 which cooperates with a cam 261 fast on the cam shaft 6. A spring 268 is connected'to the lever 263 as illustrated in Figure 2 for maintaining the head or valve member 265 normally pressed against its seat. The'cam 261 is constructed and arranged to lift the valve off its seat after the patch has been carried into the envelope and pressed against the back of the envelope but before the retractive movement of the anvil II is begun, and to permit the head or valve member 265 to be returned to its seat before the next patch has been deposited on the anvil and severed from the patch web. Thus the anvil suction is on at the port 252 when the parts are in the position illustrated in Figure 15 and continuously thereafter until the parts are in the positions illustrated in Figure 20. With the parts in the positions of Figure 20 the valve 265 is raised from its seat to admit atmosphere and break the suction before the return movements of the parts as illustrated in Figure 21 has begun.

As seen in Figure 21, the presser I4 is moving upwardl the anvil II is being retracted, the stop 4 has been-retracted just clear of the path of envelope feeding and the roller 5 has descended to facilitate the rapid and accurate advance of the envelope away from the patch applying station.

The envelope is now advanced to the fastener applying station by the belts 43 and 44 and cooperating rollers I05 and 30, being arrested for the fastener applying operation by the stop IT. The roller 36 is in its raised'position while the envelope is in engagement with the stop I1.

Upon the arrival of the envelope at the fastener applying station, the anvil 26 is advanced into the envelope into position to turn and clinch the prongs P, of the fastener I9, driven through the back of the envelope and through the patch I5 by the driver 23. The anvil 26 is mounted and operated in the same way as the anvil I I. The anvil supporting and operating means are substantial duplicates of the parts which operate and support rhe anvil II. No detailed description is, therefore, regarded as necessary, and corresponding reference numerals have been applied to corresponding parts with the subscript a added in each instance, see Figure 5. The cam 208a for operatpivotally connected to a link 215.

is provided for assuring the proper entry of the anvil 23 inside the envelope. The lifter mechanism 21 and parts associated with it will not be described in detail, but the parts have been given the same reference numerals as corresponding parts forming part of, or associated with, the lifting mechanism I3, with the subscript a added in each instance. The lever arms affixed to the shaft 228a and forming parts of the lifter operating train from the cam 222a bear a different angular relation to one another from the corresponding arms on the shaft 220, but the principle of operation is the same. The cam 222a is fast upon the cam shaft I8.

The driver 23, as is usual in machines for applying fasteners of the kind here involved, includes a pair of retreating spring projected pins 269, Figure 5, at its lower end for entering the E perforations in the lowermost fastener contained in the movable chute section 22. When these pins have descended far enough to bear, through the envelope, against the upper face of the anvil 23 they are arrested while the driver, itself, continues to descend. The pins are effective to withdraw the innermost fastener from the end of the chute section as the lower end of the chute section is moved, rightwardly in Figure 3, out of alignment with the driver.

The driver 23 is mounted for vertical reciprocation in a U-shaped bracket 210. A pin 21I, Figures 5 and 6, which transfixes the driver is re-' ceived in slots 212 formed in one end of a forked lever 213. The lever 2'13 is fulcrumed upon a shaft 214 and has its end remote from the driver The link 215 is pivotally connected at the lower end thereof to an angle lever 216. The lever 218 is fulcrumed upon a shaft 211, and carries a follower 218 which runs in the track of a track cam 219. 219 is fast uponthe cam shaft l8. The track cam 219 is so constructed and arranged that it causes the driver to be operated in properly timed relation to the other operating parts.

The arm 24 for oscillating the movable chute section is pivotally connected to a link 280, and the link 28!! is, in turn, connected at its lower end to a lever 28I. The lever 28I is pivotally mounted upon the shaft 211, and carries a cam follower 282 which is operated by a cam 283 fast on the cam shaft I8. The cam 283 is constructed and ar anged to cause the chute section 22 to be oscillated in properly timed relation to the other operating parts of the machine.

The roller 30 is carried by an arm 284 fast on a 288 which is jnurnaled upon the shaft 211. The

lever 288 carries a cam follower 289 which cooperates with a cam 290 fast upon the cam shaft I8. The cam 290 is constructed and arranged to cause the roller 38 to be actuated in properly timed relation to the other operating parts. The roller 38 is lifted against the action of a spring 2881:, Figure 3, as the stop I1 becomes effective. and is lowered against the envelope as the stop I1 is retracted. I p

The stop I1 is similar in function tothe stop 4 which has already been described. The operating means for the stop I1 is somewhat different, however, and will, therefore, be described briefly. The stop ILincludes a stem 28I which passes through one end of a supporting bar 292. 75

The cam A winged not 293 threaded through the end of the bar 292 cooperates with the stem 29I to fix the stop I1 in various adjusted relations to the bar 292. The bar 292 is carried on a horizontal portion 294.11 of a vertical slide 294. A yoke lever 295 embraces the opposite ends of a pin 296 which transfixes the slide 294. The lever 295 is fulcrumed at 291, and carries at its end remote from the slide 294 a cam follower 298. The follower 298 cooperates with a cam 299 fast on the shaft I8 to actuate the stop I1 at the times and in the manner heretofore pointed out.

Guide bars 196a and IIIIa similar to the guide bars I06 and I01 are provided at the fastener applying station. These bars are in all respects duplicates of the bars I06 and I0! and are supported in the same way. No detailed description of these parts will be given, therefore, but corresponding reference numerals have been applied to corresponding parts with the subscript a added in each instance. Similar guide bars, not shown, may be supported, between the guide bars I08 and "lid, on the horizontal bars II2b, Figure 1.

When the fastener has been applied and the driver has started its retractive movement, the stop I! is retracted and the roller 30 is simultaneously brought into action. The envelope is accordingly advanced immediately bythe traveling belts 43 and 44. The final rollers I I15 cooperate with the belts 43 and 44 to discharge the finished envelope from the machine and to deposit it at 300 on any suitable means such as a shelf 30I at the delivery end of the machine. The finished envelopes may be removed from the shelf from time to time as found convenient.

In the detailed description of the illustrated machine, the parts have been described as they would be used for making patch reinforced, clasp fastener envelopes.

It is apparent, however, that the machine may be very readily converted for the making of clasp fastener envelopes without making reinforced patches, by the simple expedient of disabling the cam shaft 6 and retiming the shaft 62 relative to the shaft I8. These readjustments cut out of operation all of the mechanisms which are adapted to act on the envelope at the patch applying station and change the timing of all of the separator parts as a single unit in relation to the timing of all of the parts which are adapted to act upon the envelope at the fastener applying station.

When it is desired to switch back to the mode of operation which involves the application of patches as well as the application of fasteners, it is only necessary to turn the knob 58 until the pin 59 comes into register with the bore 68, whereupon the plunger tip 56 is urged toward the sprocket 48. As soon as the opening 51 in the sprocket 48 comes into register with the plunger tip 56, the plungertip snaps into the opening 51, so that the patch applying mechanism is rendered operative, its previous timing relative to the fastener applying mechanism being automatically restored. The shaft 62. then requires readjustment to restore it to its original timing with respect to the shafts 6 and I8.

I have described what I believe to be the best embodiments of my invention. I do not wish, however, to be confined to the embodiments shown, but what I desire to cover by letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim: 1, A machine for making patch reinforced, clasp fastener envelopes including, in combination, means for applying a reinforcing patch to the inner face of the back of an envelope at a first station, means for applying a clasp fastener to the back of the envelope at a second station, including the clinching of the fastener to the reinforcing patch, and means for mechanically advancing the envelope to the first station for the patch applying operation and then to the second station for the fastener applying operation.

2. A machine for making patch reinforced, clasp fastener envelopes including, in combination, means for advancing envelopes step by step past successive operating stations, means at the first station for applying a patch to the inner face of the back of the envelope while an envelope is at that station, and means at a subsequent station for delivering a fastener and clinching it to the back of the envelope and to velope and for clinching the fastener to the back of the envelope and to the reinforcing patch, a common driving means for the mechanism at the 'second station and for the common driving and first station and said common driving means,

. comprising coaxial, rotary, driving and driven the patch while the patch reinforced envelope is at the latter station,

3. A machine for making patch reinforced, clasp fastener envelopes including, in combination, means for supporting a stack of envelopes, means for separating the envelopes from the stack one by one in definitely timed relation, means for advancing the separated envelopes along a definite path, patch applying mechanism disposed along said path for first delivering and afiixing a reinforcing patch to the inner face of the back of an envelope, and fastener applying mechanism disposed along said path for thereafter delivering a clasp fastener and clinching it to the back of the envelope and to said patch, all in definitely timed relation to the advance of the envelope.

4. A machine for making clasp fastener envelopes comprising, in combination, means for advancing envelopes along a definite path, means for delivering envelopes in definitely timed relation to said advancing means, a first envelope arresting means for stopping an envelope at a first station for the application of a patch thereto, means at the first station for preparing and delivering a patch and aifixing it to the inner face of the back of the envelope, a common operating and timing member for said first arresting means and for said patch preparing, delivering and affixing means, a second envelope arresting means at a second station, mechanism at said second station for delivering a clasp fastener to the envelope and for clinchingthe fastener to the back of the envelope and to the reinforcing patch, a common driving means for the mechanism at the second station and for the common driving and timing member at the first station, and means for instantaneously connecting and disconnecting the common driving and timing member at the first station and said common driving means.

5. A machine for making clasp fastener envelopes comprising, in combination, means for adstation for delivering a clasp fastener to the enmembers, and means capable of efiecting a driving connection between them in one angular relation, but incapable of effecting a driving connectionin any other angular relation, whereby the timing of said members relative to one another is mechanically predetermined and assured.

6. A machine for makingclasp fastener envelopes comprising, in combination, means for advancing envelopes along a definite path, means for delivering envelopes in definitely timed relation to said advancing means, a first envelope arresting means for stopping an envelope at a first station for the application of a patch thereto, means at the first station for preparing and delivering a patch and affixing it to the inner face of the back of the envelope, a common operating and timing member for said first arresting means and for said patch preparing, delivering and affixing means, a second envelope arresting means at a second station, mechanism at said second station for delivering a clasp fastener to the envelope and for clinching the fastener to the back of the envelope and to the reinforcing patch, and means for instantaneously rendering the first arresting means and the mechanism operating at the first station idle and ineffective.

7. A machine for making clasp fastener envelopes comprising, in combination, means for advancing envelopes along a definite path, means for delivering envelopes in definitely timed relation to said advancing means, a first envelope arresting means for stopping an envelope at a first station for the application of a patch thereto, means at the first station for preparing and delivering a patch and aflixing it to the inner face of the back of the envelope, a common operating and timing member for said first arresting means and for said patch preparing, delivering and aifixing means, a second envelope arresting means at a second station, mechanism at said second station for delivering a clasp fastener to the envelope and for clinching the fastener to the back of the envelope andto the reinforcing patch, and means for instantaneously rendering the first arresting means and the mechanism operating at the first station idle and ineffective, and means for retiming the envelope delivering means relative to the mechanism at the second station when the arresting means at the first station is rendered idle and ineffective.

8. A machine for applying patches to the inner faces of the backs of envelopes comprising, in combination, means for supporting an envelope in position to receive a patch, a patch-carrying anvil, means for reciprocating the anvil between a patch-receiving position outside the envelope and a position in which the patch is properly located for application to the envelope, said anvil having a patch seat in its end, and rigid, integral guard flanges at opposite sides of said seat for preventing engagement of the patch with the back of the envelope as the patch is carried into the envelope, and presser mechanism comprising a presser head operable between the fianges with clearance at either side between a patch-receiving position outside the envelope and a position in which the patch is properly located for application to the envelope, said anvil having a patch seat in its end,

and including a suction passage and a suction port in the patch seat communicating with said passage for holding the patch to the anvil as the patch is carried into the envelope, means for depositing a patch on the patch seat in patch receiving position, and means for pressing the back of the envelope against the patch on the patch seat in the position of patch application.

10. A machine for applying patches to the inner faces of the backs of envelopes comprising, in combination, means for supporting an envelope in position to receive a patch, a patch-carrying anvil, means for reciprocating the anvil between a patch-receiving position outside the envelope and a position in which the patch is properly located for application to the envelope, said anvil having a patch seat in its end, and including a suction passage and a suction port in the patch seat communicating with said passage for holding the patch to the anvil as the patch is carried into the envelope and rigid, integral guard flanges at opposite sides of the patch seat for preventing engagement of the patch with the back of the envelope as the patch is carried into the envelope, means for depositing a patch on the patch seat in patch receiving position,

and means operating in the space between the flanges for pressing the back of the envelope against the patch on the patch seat in the position of patch application.

11. A machine for applying patches to the inner faces of the backs of envelopes comprising, in combination, means for supporting an envelope in position to receive a patch, a patchcarrying anvil, means for reciprocating the anvil between a patch-receiving position outside the envelope and a position in which the patch is properly located for application to the envelope, said anvil having a patch seat in its end, and including a suction passage and a suction port in the patch seat communicating with said passage for holding the patch to the anvil as the patch is carried into the envelope, means for depositing a patch on the patch seat in patch receiving position, means for pressing the back of the envelope against the patch on the anvil in the position of patch application, and means for cutting off suction from the suction port in the patch seat of the anvil after the back of the envelope has been pressed against the patch and before the anvil leaves the patch-applying position.

12. A machine for applying patches to the inner faces of the backs of envelopes comprising, in combination, means for supporting an envelope in position to receive a patch, a patch-carrying anvil, means for reciprocating the anvil between a patch-receiving position outside the envelope and a position in which the patch is properly located for application to the envelope, said anvil having a patch seat in its end, said anvil including a suction passage and a suction port in the patch seat communicating with said passage for holding the patch to the anvil as the patch is carried into the envelope, means for depositing a patch on the patch seat in patch receiving position, means for pressing the back of the envelope against the patch on the anvil in the position of patch application, means for feeding the envelope away from its patch-applying position after the patch and the envelope back have been pressed together. and means for cutting off suction from the suction port in the patch seat of the anvil after the patch and the envelope back have been pressed together, but before the anvil leaves the patch applying position and before such feeding of the envelope is begun.

13. A machine for applying patches to the inner faces of envelopes comprising, in combination, means for supporting an envelope in patchapplying position, a reciprocating anvil for carrying a patch from a patch-receiving position into the envelope, said anvil including suction.

means for holding the patch against disarrangement as it is carried into the envelope, means for delivering a patch onto the anvil in the patch receiving position thereof, and means for pressing the back of the envelope against the patch on the anvil when the patch has been carried into the envelope.

14. A machine for applying patches to the inner faces of envelopes comprising, in combination, means for supporting an envelope in patchapplying position, an anvil for carrying a patch from a patch-receiving position into the envelope, means for feeding patch tape over the anvil in the patch-receiving position thereof,

- means for pressing the end of the tape against the anvil, said anvil including suction means for holding the end of the tape to itself, and means tion, means for supporting an envelope in patchapplying position, an anvil for carrying a patch from a patch-receiving position into the envelope, means for feeding the end of the patch web over the anvil in the receiving position thereof and for severing such end portion to form a patch, said anvil including suction means for holding the patch against disarrangement on the anvil, and means for pressing the end of the patch tape against the anvil before it is severed and for holding the severed patch against the anvil until after the suction means has taken control of the severed patch.

16. A machine for applying patches to the inner faces of envelopes comprising, in combination, means for supporting an envelope in patchapplying position, an anvil for carrying a patch from a patch-receiving position into the envelope, means for feeding patch tape over the anvil in the patch-receiving position thereof, a cutter for severing a patch length from the end portion of the tape which is situated over the anvil, a cutter carrier, means supporting the cutter carrier for oscillation about a fixed axis, means for oscillating the cutter carrier, a curved needle mounted coaxially with the cutter carrier and having the point thereof disposed in advance of the cutting edge of the cutter to engage the tape and press it against the anvil before the patch is severed, said cutter carrier including a needle supporting portion, and spring means mounted on the cutter carrier and normally pressing the needle against said supporting portion-of the carrier, said spring means being yieldable to permit further advance of the cutter carrier relative to 

